Castrol Honda Previews Phillip Island SBK

As a prelude to the opening round of the 2011 World Superbike Championship at Phillip Island this weekend, the Castrol Honda World Superbike team released a YouTube video that previews the race.

This short flick features technical perspectives on the Honda CBR1000RR that team-members Jonathan Rea and Ruben Xaus will pilot, and also highlights from the 2010 race at Phillip Island, which were won by Leon Haslam (then-Suzuki) and Carlo Checa (Althea Ducati), respectively.

On Monday, the first of two days of testing began at Phillip Island. Rea was eight fastest aboard his CBR, Xaus 13th fastest. The leader on Monday was Checa, who posted a 1:31.383. The testing at the Australian track is the final round before this weekend’s season opener.

For Rea, the new WSBK season with Castrol Honda will be his third in the World Superbike championship aboard the Honda CBR 1000 RR.

The Northern Irishman finished in fifth place in 2009, taking two WSBK wins, a tally which he doubled last season on his way to fourth place in the championship.

Ruben Xaus, meanwhile, first competed in the World Superbike championship in 1998 and finished as runner-up in 2003 before a two-year spell in MotoGP.

The 32-year-old Catalan rider has 11 career WSBK wins to his name and a total of 35 podium finishes to date. This will be Xaus first year on the Honda CBR1000RR, coming off the BMW S 1000 RR superbike in the most recent years.

If it has two wheels, Ultimate Motorcycling has the inside scoop. From the latest motorcycle and apparel reviews, to MotoGP results and OEM sales reports, Ultimate Motorcycling covers it all. Our small but passionate staff works endlessly to deliver quality and enjoyable motorcycle content.